‘K1’ OK, NOT KO’D: 62005 STAYS ON THE MAIN

Rumours that ‘K1’ No. 62005 is about to be pulled from the main line seem exaggerated.

Rather, the recommendation from the committee of the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group for its 1949-built 2-6-0 is that it’s ‘stopped’ now for firebox work to allow a further three years on the main line; it is currently seven years into its latest ‘ten-year’ ticket.

‘Bread and butter’ work for the Peppercorn machine is the Fort William-Mallaig ‘Jacobite’; the ‘Mogul’ is now at Carnforth, having finished its employment in the Highlands for this season. NELPG Chairman Chris Lawson (who replaced John Hunt earlier this year – see SR482) reckons that going for the ‘extension’ work now means the ‘K1’ should be back in time for the repeatitinerary trains in 2019. In contrast, a full overhaul now would mean it missing next year’s season entirely.

The plan is, however, subject to members’ approval. NELPG trustees are authorised to spend up to £50,000 on projects, but the stay replacement and work to the right-hand throatplate washout boss will require removal of the boiler. New small tubes may also be required. Expected cost: £75,000.

However, simply pulling the North British-built engine from the main line now and running it – say – on the North Yorkshire Moors, isn’t actually an option, says Chris Lawson. The work “needs to be done before any further service, whether on the main line or on preserved railways. There is therefore no question of it seeing out the remaining three years of its ticket by simply taking it off the main line and running it instead on preserved railways.”

“All options have been considered” by the trustees, Chris says, “from doing nothing” to going for the full ten-year ‘heavy general’ now “taking account of both the financial and physical resources available, and our obligations as a charity to restore, maintain and operate our locomotives for the public benefit.”

NELPG was to hold a meeting to allow members to air their thoughts (not only on the ‘K1’ but the group’s other engines too) on September 28, followed by a special general meeting to make a decision on October 19.

●● It seems the dream of the ‘Jacobite’ running under blue skies and snowy mountains might have to stay as just that… West Coast is not pushing ahead this year with the December trains it’s tried out over the last couple of seasons. SR understands that’s simply a question of the economics of filling trips outside the main tourist season.